I don't teach my Civil War sections today, but I've passed a number of my students in the hallways. Just about all of them mentioned that Sarah Palin referenced "McClellan" as the commander in charge of American forces in Afghanistan in the debate last night. I am so proud.

I've attended somewhere around 25 academic conferences over the past ten years and this is not my experience at all. I can honestly say that I have absolutely no idea where the overwhelming majority of historians, which I've become acquainted with over the years, stand on the bread and butter political and social issues of our time. In addition, I can't tell you where they stand in terms of religious affiliation. And to tell you the truth, I don't care where they stand on any of these issues.

In all of the sessions that I've taken part in, either as a presenter or as a member of the audience, I can't think of a single moment where a discussion of modern politics ensued or the conversation degenerated into a religious-cultural-social bashing free-for-all. What I do remember are countless discussions that broadened or deepened my understanding of a subject. In the cases where I presented a paper I almost always left with a clearer sense of my research's strengths and weaknesses. No one ever accused me of belonging to the wrong religion or political party, and I can't remember the last time someone asked for my stand on abortion. My guess is that the overwhelming majority of participants attend these conferences to discuss and learn about history.

My experience as an undergraduate and graduate student in history are also reflective of these observations. I attended classes in history at William Paterson College (now university), the University of Maryland at College Park, and the University of Richmond. All of my professors were professional and not once can I remember them engaging in the kind of behavior described in the media and blogosphere. I even worked as a teaching assistant for Jacques Pluss at WPC and never had any inkling that he was a member of a neo-Nazi organization.

I would love to ask the authors of these claims the following: (1) When was the last time they attended a college-level history course? (2) Have they ever attended an academic conference or took part in a workshop with academic historians? (3) Have they ever submitted an essay to a professional journal which would provide insight into how the vetting process works? (4) Have they ever witnessed the kinds of behavior that they describe? If so, did it occur enough times to warrant such generalizations?

There is nothing wrong with employing generalizations in an argument. However, all of us are able to detect a poorly-constructed generalization, and the difference usually boils down to whether a sufficient number of particulars have been properly employed. The problem in this case is that the authors of these claims have, for the most part, soaked up this critique from the mainstream media and passed it off as if they understand what it means, as if they themselves have experienced the behavior. In the end, these accusations are nothing more than a product of a defensive posture that views intellectual activity as a threat. Just below the surface you find ignorance and a whole lot of fear.

One of my readers was kind enough to pass along this historical marker description from Alabama. Another wonderful example of how public spaces were used to reinforce black subservience as Jim Crow gradually became a fact of life for blacks in the South. Interestingly, the war referenced is the Mexican-American rather than American Civil War. Of course, the story may in fact be true. What is interesting, however, is why this story needed to be conveyed to the general public in 1890.

JAMES CANTEY Location: Located on Alabama Highway 165, eight miles south of Phenix City, Alabama, at Fort Mitchell. Marker Dedication or Erection Date: 1890 SIDE 1: Near here was the home of Confederate Brigadier General James Cantey who arrived in 1849 to operate a plantation owned by his father. Prior to coming to Russell County he had practiced law at his birthplace, Camden, South Carolina, and had represented his district in the State Legislature thee for two terms. Cantey fought in the Mexican War and received near mortal wounds. He was left among the dead but was rescued by his body servant whose plans were to bear him home for burial. The slave’s detection of a faint sign of life caused heroic action that revived his master. For this deed the servant was offered his freedom, which was refused.

Matthew 11:27 clearly states "no one knows the Son except the Father; and no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son has revealed him." Jesus himself said, "No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Therefore, according to what believers consider to be biblical truth, our fellow Christians such as Thomas Jackson, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and every other sinful Confederate (which BTW is all of them) were forgiven for their transgressions that they committed on this earthly plain against their fellow man, and are now in Heaven worshipping in the circle of the Lord.

On the other hand, many of these anti-religious academics, agnostics, and atheists who fervently preach against Christ and His followers (including born-again historical figures) may be headed to a much-much darker place. I suggest that these professors put down their history books and pick up a bible.

I just want to reiterate that it is a very, very, dark place. In all seriousness, this was written by an individual who knows absolutely nothing about academic writing or analytical history in general. It's the worst kind of hate speech because it is born of ignorance and fear. Who are these academic historians who hate religion and "preach against Christ and His followers?" Have you ever heard of such insanity? Not once has anyone cited an example of this.